Suddenly, the buyback of Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s contract sent a shockwave through National League chief executives. An important decision that entails financial obligations over eight years. The decision makers of the Vancouver Canucks did not expect such a decision.
In the case of the Swedish defender, we decided against it. He had no future in the organization and no longer fitted into the company’s restructuring plans. But why act now? Why not wait until next year knowing that the chances of the Canucks winning the Stanley Cup are virtually nil?
ideal solution
An aide made such a remark to me about Brendan Gallagher a few weeks ago, stressing that the Canadian shouldn’t rush certain decisions as we don’t include next year’s playoffs in his recovery program.
The Canucks chose a solution that suits them immediately. They have identified players who can improve on the field a team that has failed in recent years. And in order to achieve the set goals, money is needed. And where can the financial resources of the company be increased? It does this by creating a balance in the home.
The Los Angeles Kings have taken a different route to get the maneuvers they need, hoping to start serious negotiations with some formations. They chose the transaction market. No wonder we count them among the teams taking an increasingly keen interest in Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Can this situation make Kent Hughes reconsider his game plan? Can he also consider the possibility of buying up a contract and benefiting from a significant financial cushion?
In the past few days, several players with a still interesting profile have appeared in the showcase.
The list of names
Some names of players who will be in the market:
- Pierre-Luc Dubois: Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Boston.
- Connor Hellebuyck: Los Angeles, Detroit, Buffalo.
- Alex DeBrincat: A dozen teams dialed Pierre Dorion’s number.
- Mark Scheifele: Boston.
- Erik Karlsson: Raise the big bucks.
- Brett Pesce: Buffalo, Edmonton, Colorado, Pittsburgh.
- Noah Hanifin: Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg.
- Travis Konecny: Detroit, Pittsburgh.
Discussions will no doubt increase for a number of reasons, most notably regarding the salary cap. We know very well that there will inevitably be an increase in financial commitments over the next few years. The promise made by Gary Betman to the leaders of each team’s hockey sector has not been kept, quite the opposite.
dead end
The Commissioner has put the decision makers in an impasse, the ones who had planned a strategy for treaty negotiations and also for the duration of the pacts that we want to agree with the key players.
For now, we can expect a lot of activity in the free agent market with the Ekman Larsson case set to serve as an example for strategy over the next few weeks.
The list of candidates is interesting:
- Josh Bailey: $5.33 million
- Mike Hoffman: $4.50 million (with compensation)
- Jeff Petry: $6.25 million (forgotten)
- Barclay Goodrow: $3.64 million (he misses Yanni Gourde.)
- Taylor Hall: $6 million (a Bruins mistake)
- Antony Beauvillier: $4.15 million (What are the Canucks’ intentions?)
- Blake Wheeler: $8.25 million (no longer has the required resources)
- Nick Leddy: $3.25 million (think about it)
- Kevin Hayes: $7 million (too expensive)
the intentions
In the plan worked out by the different teams, it will be necessary to monitor the Canadian who we intend to consider the possibility of improving his selection ranking in the first round.
Montreal reportedly asked what the Anaheim Ducks had in mind when selecting amateur players. In principle, they have to decide second.
